Anatomical Relations
The antebrachial fascia is attached to the olecranon, posterior border of the ulna, and the lateral and medial epicondyles. Superiorly, the antebrachial fascia is continuous with the brachial fascia of the arm. Inferiorly the fascia is thickened and becomes the extensor retinaculum posteriorly and palmar carpal ligament anteriorly.
Veins and nerves pierce the fascia to travel from the deep compartments of the forearm to reach superficial targets.
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure
The antebrachial fascia is a dense fascia that is thickest posteriorly and inferiorly.
Function
The antebrachial fascia gives attachment to tendinous fibers of triceps brachii and biceps brachii. These attachments strengthen the antebrachial fascia. The antebrachial fascia completes the separation of the anterior and posterior muscular compartments of the forearm, which are separated by the interosseous membrane.
The anterior or posterior neuromuscular compartments of the forearm house muscles of similar function and common innervation. Muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm are mainly flexors, while muscles in the posterior compartment are mainly extensors. The fascial compartments of the upper limb are important clinically because they contain and direct the flow and spread of infection and hemorrhages in the limb.
